Shraddha Walkar murder case: Delhi court allows online testimony of WhatsApp, Google, Bumble officials

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has allowed Delhi Police to record the testimony of nodal officers of WhatsApp, Google, Gmail and Bumble through video conferencing from abroad in the Shraddha Walkar murder case, in which Aaftab Amin Poonawala is facing trial.The court said securing the physical presence of the witnesses would involve considerable expense and delay, and directed that their depositions be recorded from December 1, 2026, with one witness examined each day.Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi allowed the prosecution's application on Saturday, noting that the witnesses are based in the United States and the United Kingdom. The trial is nearing its conclusion. Court allows online testimony of foreign tech officials"Having considered the application and given that these witnesses reside abroad, securing their physical attendance before this Court would entail undue delay and exorbitant expense. In the interest of an expeditious trial and justice, the application moved by the prosecution is allowed," ASJ Jaggi ordered on Saturday.The court directed that a copy of the order be forwarded to the Consulate General of India, the High Commission of India, the Joint Secretary, CPV (Consular, Passport and Visa) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the nodal authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for information and necessary compliance.WhatsApp, Google, Gmail and Bumble officials named as witnessesThe prosecution sought to examine foreign nodal officers who are required to tender evidence through affidavits under Section 296 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC), and the corresponding provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.The witnesses identified by Delhi Police are:- Adrian Silvera, nodal officer for WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms Inc., residing at 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, California, USA.- Shelby Smith, nodal officer for Google LLC, based in Austin, Texas, USA.- Arti Sheth, nodal officer for Google (Gmail), whose office is at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, California 94043, USA.- Luke Mitsi, nodal officer and law enforcement operations manager for Bumble Group, whose office is at 2 Sheraton Street, London, United Kingdom.Delhi court sets up video-conferencing arrangements for foreign witnessesThe court directed that the Court Point for recording the depositions would be the video-conferencing courtroom of the South District at Saket Courts Complex in Delhi.The Remote Point for each summoned witness will be the nearest Indian embassy or high commission corresponding to the witness's residential or official address.An official designated by the respective Indian embassy, high commission or consulate general will act as the Remote Point Coordinator.Inspector Ram Singh, the investigating officer in the case, has been authorised to act as a liaison officer to ensure that all necessary permissions and authorisations are processed through the appropriate channels in a time-bound manner.Witness examination to begin on December 1The court specified that the witnesses' testimony would be recorded at the rate of one witness per day, beginning December 1, 2026.The Court Point Coordinator has been directed to prepare a detailed date sheet in coordination with the Remote Point Coordinators, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) and defence counsel.SPP Madhukar Pandey is appearing for Delhi Police.Court lays down rules for serving summons to foreign witnessesThe court directed that all processes and summons be served on the witnesses through the MHA and MEA in accordance with the law and the prevailing Comprehensive Guidelines for Investigation Abroad and issuance of Letters Rogatory (LRs) or Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Requests and Service of Summons, as mandated under Rule 9(5) and Rule 12.It also clarified that the summons must explicitly specify the venue of the Remote Point, the date and time of the deposition, and the requirement for identity proof. All parties have been directed to account for differences in time zones while scheduling the proceedings.Advocate Akshay Bhandari, along with Megha Saroa, is representing Poonawala, while advocate Seema Kushwaha is appearing for the complainant.(With ANI inputs)You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in DelhiStay updated with the latest Delhi news. Download the TOI App.